I have been saddened and dismayed by the rather blasé response to Dusty Hill’s death from my local classic-rock radio stations, which I listen to sometimes while I’m out delivering food or picking up/returning the young ‘un or whatever. When Tom Petty died, it was pretty much a three-day orgy of tribute to the man, which I had no problem with. I mean, I was by no means a rabid Petty fan, but on the other hand he WAS a truly gifted songwriter, with a top-notch band behind him. All in all, Tom was okay with me, and he had a long string of hits, so give the man his due, right?
By contrast, I’ve heard very little at all in the way of mention, recognition, or repeat ZZ Top spins in the wake of Hill’s death apart from a brief notice that their tour dates would go on more or less as scheduled. Commercial-free two, three, or four-play song sets,, interviews with the band, obscure live tracks, all that sort of thing? Not on your life, or not that I’ve heard, anyway.
Well, screw that. When I said the other night that I considered ZZ to be one of the greatest rock bands that ever was or ever will be, I meant every word of it. So have yourselves a couple bonus slices of musical genius from that li’l ole band from Texas, gratis. No need to thank me, y’all.
For anybody who might not know already: the trademark deep, rough-and-ready grizzly-growl on their records is Billy Gibbons, who handled most of the lead vocal duties. The higher, somewhat smoother, sweeter croon swapping verses with Gibbons on some songs, and holding forth on its own on others, is Dusty Hill. Of course, that’ll be obvious in the video footage. But still.
I repeat: God rest him, and may His comfort and love bless Dusty’s bandmates, family, friends, and fans.
- Entries
I wore my 2019 concert shirt all day yesterday and played ZZ all day yesterday and today.
I also saw them on the Recycler Tour at The Garden (Madison Square).
A study in contrasts. Back then it was a pyrotechnics and light show extraordinaire with The Car driving on the stage and then them disappearing stage right and reappearing from the basement on a mechanical lift. The music was great but it was The Spectacle that sold it.
And yet in 2019 there was no lights and special effects. Just Tres Hombres playing on the stage and STILL a show extraordinaire. I’m so glad my eldest got to see them along with Cheap Trick.
Dusty is in the Greatest Band Outside of Texas but ZZ will always be the Biggest Little Band from Texas, because They’re Bad, They’re Nationwide.